Wendell H. Ford Airport Serves Hazard Area, Provides Key Details
Wendell H. Ford Airport in Chavies provides public aviation access roughly 10 miles northwest of Hazard, offering practical contact and communications information that matters for pilots, local businesses, and emergency planners. Key operational details include its elevation, activation date, landing fee structure, and frequencies pilots should use when flying into the Hazard area.
Wendell H. Ford Airport, located at 1300 Terminal Road in Chavies, is the public entry point for aircraft serving Hazard and surrounding Perry County. The facility sits about 10 miles northwest of Hazard and at an elevation of 1256.4 feet, or 383.0 meters. The airport is listed under zip code 41367 and operates in the Eastern time zone, five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and four hours behind during Daylight Saving Time.
The airport was activated in November 1983, marking more than four decades as a local aviation asset. It is open to the public and requires a landing fee structured as ramp fees. The published operating window is sunset to sunrise. Pilots and operators should note this listed schedule and confirm hours before flight planning because operating windows affect availability for business travel, medical flights, and air taxi services.
Operational communications and weather services are provided for inbound aircraft. Pilots may use the common traffic advisory frequency and UNICOM on 122.7. Automated weather is available on 119.025, AWOS 3, with the AWOS phone contact at 606 435 2452. The airport office can be reached at 606 439 5140. These contacts and frequencies are essential for flight safety and logistical coordination for pilots unfamiliar with the Hazard area.
For Perry County residents and officials, the airport represents a piece of regional connectivity that supports economic activity, emergency response, and access to broader markets. Small public airports often enable local businesses to bring in clients, move personnel, and respond to urgent medical needs. The presence of a ramp fee can influence cost calculations for regular users and may shape how often private operators choose Wendell H. Ford Airport versus alternatives.
Looking ahead, maintaining clear operational hours, reliable weather reporting, and transparent fee structures will be important for maximizing the airport's local value. For pilots planning to fly into Hazard, use CTAF UNICOM 122.7, AWOS 119.025 and the phone numbers provided to confirm conditions and ramp fee arrangements before arrival.
